Greg Hart

Other than quarterback, tight end was Nebraska’s biggest need for the 2013 class, and the Huskers landed a key piece when Dayton (Alter) Ohio adjuster Greg Hart committed to NU.

The 6-foot-5 225-pounder — a three-star target across the board — will be the guy, he said, who replaces Nebraska senior Kyler Reed. He committed shortly after a visit to Lincoln.

“Nebraska is definitely a great program with tradition, just like Alter," Hart told the Dayton Daily News. "They’re not really focused on stats. They’re focused more on the potential that they see in every player. They see your frame and your size and your ceiling.”

Hart’s taller than Reed, and maybe a step slower. He looks more like a bulkier version of Mike McNeill. Hart told Huskers Illustrated he was NU’s No. 1 tight end target.

The seventh overall commit of the class, Hart had offers from several Division I schools, including Northwestern, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Wake Forest and Boston College. In-state schools Ohio, Cincinnati, Akron and Kent State had also offered Hart.

“It’s going to be interesting to see what Nebraska does with him," Archbishop Alter head coach Ed Domsitz said. "But I think Greg is just receptive to the attitude of, ‘Where can I help?’”

Playing in a run-oriented offense with wishbone and option elements, Hart finished his senior season with 19 receptions for 258 yards and three touchdowns. Hart more than took advantage of the opportunity to play both ways, however, being voted the conference defensive lineman of the year after making 55 tackles and leading the league with 10 sacks.

Our take: Tight end was a recruiting priority with Nebraska needing to replace Ben Cotton and Kyler Reed. Hart’s skill set mirrors that of Reed more than Cotton, so his size is a bonus. What kind of opportunity Hart gets right away might depend on the development of younger tight ends in the system such as David Sutton, Sam Cotton and Trey Foster, but the Huskers will be looking for some options behind Jake Long.